Accessories to Support Your Meditation Practice
It is true that all you need is your mind and body to meditate. That doees not mean though that there aren’t props and other things that can help you meditate more easily. They can be especially helpful when you are first starting to learn. Here are a few accessories you can explore to help your practice.
Clothing
It’s important to be as comfortable as possible while meditating because you don’t want to be distracted by physical discomfort as this makes it a lot harder to achieve a meditative state. That’s why you want to wear clothes that are as comfortable as possible while meditating. This could mean yoga pants and a tank-top, or it could mean sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
Furniture
Sometimes, picking the right piece of furniture makes the biggest difference in how well you’re able to meditate. You’ll want it to be comfortable, of course, and located in an area that’s away from distractions. What you sit or lay on to meditate is completely up to you. It could be anything from a yoga mat to a hammock. There are so many other different types of seating designed specifically for meditation including meditation cushions, foldable, adjustable chairs for back support, and meditation benches. No need to make it complicated as a regular chair is just fine too.
Music
Some traditional meditators in the mindfulness tradition will tell you that music is inappropriate as it can interfere with your ability to become more aware. But remember, the best meditation practice is the practice that you can do. Having music playing in the background can often help you meditate, especially if you’re using music especially designed for meditation. And it helps if you use the same music every time. That will help remind your body what you’re doing and instantly put you in a better state of mind to start meditating. Because phones and computers can be used for so many other things, we recommend sticking with an actual CD player devoted to meditation purposes so you don’t risk getting distracted.
Mala Beads
Prayer beads, like mala beads or rosary beads, have been around for centurles. Beads are also helpful for meditation. Moving to each bead with every breath or each time you say a mantra can help you stay focused. Explore with different beads to decide which gems resonate the best for you.
Guided Meditations
On the other hand, you may want to keep your phone close to you to take advantage of a meditation app or other sources for guided meditations. There are a number of sources for guided meditation that you can use, particularly as you’re first learning so you can get the hang of meditation. Just be sure to not get distracted by anything else on yoru phone (and turn off the ringer and notifications).
Essential Oils
Whether you use a diffuser or simply put a few drops of essential oils on your palms and neck, this is a great way to help your body relax and your mind to focus so that you can meditate. When using essential oils for anything, be sure to use caution as some people may be allergic to some types of essential oils. Quality and purity is important. You’ll also want to carefully follow the directions for using the different types of oils as you’ll need different amounts for different purposes. The amount of drops that you put directly on your skin, for example, is less than you you would put in a diffuser.
Find What Works for You
At the end of the day, whether it’s music, clothing, furniture, or essential oils, you need to be looking for what works best for you. This will take some time, but once you find the right combination, you’ll find that your meditation time is significantly better for it, allowing you to get more out of it.
And for ideas on how to integrate mindfulness into your life, get my guide, 23 Ways to Integrate Mindfulness Into Your Life.